Improvement in car-couplings



JOHN L. MAR EN Ess. Improvement `in Car-Couplings.

Patented Mayu; V1872;

` um ign. x: my,

` UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

JOHN L. VMARENESS, OF OONSTANTINE, MICHIGAN.

f IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 126,724, dated May 14, 1872.

curate description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters of reference marked thereon and being a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pair of my couplings engaged. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on a: w, Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal verticalsection on y y, Fig. 4, which is an end elevation. l

Like letters indicate like parts in each figure.

The nature of this invention relates to an improvement in car-couplings of the harpoon variety, and has for its object to compel the coupling of cars fitted with such couplings at varying planes above the track. The invention consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of the draw-head and a pair of harpoons provided with upper and lower springs to keep their heads in contact, and with lateral springs to keep them 'in the line of traction;

a also, in a peculiar device for disenga-ging the said harpoons with those ot' another car by a lateral movement.

VIn the drawing, A represents the bumperbeam of a car, to the under side of which there is secured the draw-bar frame B, in which is suspended a draw-bar, C, provided with the usual buffenspring D. The upper part of the draw-bar is iliade double, of twov horizontal plates, provided with a throat, a., with suitable pin-holes to enable the use oi' the ordinary link-and-pin coupling, should occasion require it. E E are two metallic harpoons pivoted dat-wise, by a vertical bolt, b, in the back part ofthe main chamber of the draw-head. F F are two leaf-springs secured at their rear ends to the bottom of the main chamber and pivoted upon the bolt bin such a manner that they may vibrate with the harpoons. The free end of the spring F exerts a downward pressure upon the upper harpoon, and the spring Fl exerts an upward pressure on the lower har poon, thereby keeping their barbed heads in contact. Gr is a spring secured in the base of the chamber, standing edgewise therein, its free end pressing against both harpoons at one side to force them against avertical stop guide, c, and thus keep them central with the draftline of the car. H is a bell-crank lever pivoted at its angle to the buffer-plate above the draw-bar by means of a pair of links, I. The

lower end of the bell-crank is connected with the sides of the harpoons, which are opposite the spring G, so that by depressing thev other end both harpoons may be drawn laterally away from the draft-line, as shown in dotted outlines in Fig. 4, and may be retained in this position by engaging the lever with a'notched plate, J, projecting from the bu'er-plate.

When two cars tted with my improved couplings come together, the heads of their harpoons must necessarily engage, as shown in Fig. 1, and, it will be noticed, that any ordinary variation from the u usual plane above the track will not prevent their engagement, which is automatic in character, and they can only be disengaged by a lateral movement against the pressure of the spring G.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

T-he construction and arrangement of the draw-bar O, buffer-spring D, pivot b, harpoons E E, springs F F G, lever H, links I, and notched plate J, as and for the purpose set forth.

JOHN L. MARENESS.

Vitnesses SAML. It. ltooKwELL, MARTIN A. MARENEss. 

